About us

Umubano as a Rwandan word means “Neighborliness” which ideally defines togetherness in community or service to attain common/mutual benefit, as opposed to working in competition for selfish benefit.

Thus Umubano-Tours makes the difference with the other Local Tour Company in the Region.

The Two Brothers: GAKURU Peter and GATO herbert

Umubano- Tours and Intercultural Expedition also known as the two brothers business is a successful and reputable tour company operated by two bothers GAKURU Peter and GATO Herbert, involving in some other local members who shares 20% of the business and employing a team of professional tour guides and local Guides in Rwanda, DR Congo, Burundi and Uganda.

Through our years of work in the field of tourism and conservation, engagement in Eco-tourism and community development which we have directly invested in, we are uniquely positioned to give you the chance to experience the Great Lakes Region magic in an unforgettable way and to see for yourself the difference we have made to both conservation and livelihoods of local people.

We are a local tour operator based in Rwanda but specializing in TAILOR MADE SAFARIS to Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Burundi and based around each client’s individual needs, interests, time scale and budget, affording guests a rare opportunity to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the wild Africa surrounded in remarkable comfort and style.

Our price structure is very competitive and in order to insure that both private and group Safaris obtain the budget to suit them. We have arrange Gorilla Safaris in RWANDA and Uganda for the last 9 years and still creating new exciting safaris that include African wildlife, culture and people, nature, history and the most attractive tour activity

Gorilla trekking! Our safari guides are always on a standby to take you in our open safari vehicles, or comfortable Jeeps to spectacular wildlife reserves and pristine wilderness destinations of Rwanda, DR Congo, Uganda and Burundi.

OUR TEAM

OUR TEAM: From Left is the two Brothers, The third mid Deborah “Sales and Reservation”, Mr. Pascal charged of operations in DRC and Gerald one of our Tour Guide.

GATO Herbert with his Clients

Managing Director’s Profile

Herbert GATO who shares 35% of the businessis the overall Director of Umubano-Tours, and based in Musanze Town / Former Ruhengeri where the Head Office is located.

Herbert is a 38 years old and holds Bachelor Degree in Business Management and has majorly knowledge Tourism and Travel agent management.

His experience in Tourism is from his background, from since he was 8 years old, he could see tourist going into the Democratic Republic of Congo (Former ZAIRE) through the Uganda – Congo “Bunagana” border. This is where his parents had found refugees in the earlier 1959.

With much curiosity, he came to get interested in what tourists were after and managed to satisfy some of their needs on such an incredible age.

By selling breads and Sambusa, doing washing and helping to search firewood for night campfire to Tourist, Herbert came to realize that he could do more and better by helping on bookings for Gorilla trekking, organizing porters to carry tents, food and bags, helping on border crossing, exchange money into local currency but also to organize some community activities around in the village.

Herbert Later in 1993 came back to his origin country after one year the genocide broke out.

In 2004, Ten years after the genocide Herbert worked with the tourism office until 2006 when he left to work with a local tour company called Amahoro-Tours.

Through that experience, now Herbert is a Rwandan tour Operator, the organizer and professional guide for various international tour operators.

His professionalism and sincerity as well as his exceptional understanding of the needs and desires of clients have gained him renown among clients, and respect among the members of local communities.

Through this experience on tourism, he has always a dream to serve the Tourism industry in the world with full commitment.

Our major objective is to:

Ensures local people, particularly those neighboring protected areas and tourism attractions, benefit more directly from tourism. By contributing 10% of our profits to local communities, we support them both technically and financially in developing small-scale, tourism enterprises as a link to sustainable conservation. We envision strengthening this support by encouraging our tourists to visit these projects and see for themselves how their travel is contributing towards improving the livelihoods of local people as well as the attractions they visit. This is not only that tourist visit these projects but also encourage visitor and community interactions.

If you’re passionate about the wonders of nature, culture and the history of the great Lake Region come join us. We are the real People!